Part-time work & ESA

PurpleBanana

My partner claims ESA support group income related. I'm currently on his claim, however I want to start working part time.

I'm just looking for something around 20-25 hours a week. Obviously I can't give details of wages as I'm not in work yet however I'd just expect it to be minimum wage, around that.

How much would this affect his benefit? Would it just balance out the income we get? So If we get £500 a month, I start work get £400 a month then he'd just get £100 a month from ESA to make it up to £500? Is that how it works? So basically would I be better off (financially) going to work? I would really like to work though but taking in the travel costs etc.

Thanks to anyone who can help

tomtontom

Is there a reason why you are not looking for full time work?

fierystormcloud

PurpleBanana wrote: »

My partner claims ESA support group income related. I'm currently on his claim, however I want to start working part time.

I'm just looking for something around 20-25 hours a week. Obviously I can't give details of wages as I'm not in work yet however I'd just expect it to be minimum wage, around that.

How much would this affect his benefit? Would it just balance out the income we get? So If we get £500 a month, I start work get £400 a month then he'd just get £100 a month from ESA to make it up to £500? Is that how it works? So basically would I be better off (financially) going to work? I would really like to work though but taking in the travel costs etc.

Thanks to anyone who can help

I don't see why what you earn would affect his claim.

However, I am sorry to be a plank, but what do you mean you are 'on his claim?'

tomtontom wrote: »

Is there a reason why you are not looking for full time work?

What relevance does this ^^^ have to the OP's question? She is asking if her partner's ESA will be affected if she works 25 hours a week, she is not asking to be judged or questioned as to why she is not going to work full time.

People get attacked for not looking for work, then they get attacked if they are ONLY looking for part time, then they get attacked if they are working full time but earning low wages so have to claim tax credits. Some people cannot just win can they?! :mad:

pmlindyloo

PurpleBanana wrote: »

My partner claims ESA support group income related. I'm currently on his claim, however I want to start working part time.

I'm just looking for something around 20-25 hours a week. Obviously I can't give details of wages as I'm not in work yet however I'd just expect it to be minimum wage, around that.

How much would this affect his benefit? Would it just balance out the income we get? So If we get £500 a month, I start work get £400 a month then he'd just get £100 a month from ESA to make it up to £500? Is that how it works? So basically would I be better off (financially) going to work? I would really like to work though but taking in the travel costs etc.

Thanks to anyone who can help

If your partner is on contribution based ESA with an income based 'top up' for you then he would not lose his contribution based ESA if you started working but you would lose the income based #top up'.

If it is totally income based ESA then your earnings would be counted as income and be deducted from the ESA (I think there is a £20??? disregard)

Look at the ESA award letter and see what it says.

You can probably put different scenarios into the benefit calculator on https://www.entitledto.co.uk to see what your entitlements would be.

TELLIT01

If you work over 24 hours per week all entitlement to Income Related benefit will cease. Even if you work fewer then 24 hours your income will be taken into account on the Income Related side of the benefit.
Any Contribution based benefit will be unaffected.

PurpleBanana

Hi everyone,

thank you so much for your answers, they were really helpful.

I tried that entitled to website and apparently I'd be £40 worse off a month if I go to work and that's not including travel costs?

How accurate is this website?

I'm really desperate to work as me and my husband don't want to stay on benefits however he doesn't have a choice at the moment, but we're just worried we will be worse off working than not working and I will have to go full time which is something I'm unable to do this minute.

I'm gonna get in touch with CAB and see if they can shine some light on the matter. Thanks everyone